California Governor Vetoes Redefinition of ‘Proficient’

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California has vetoed a bill that would have redefined the state’s standard for student proficiency.

Sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, the measure was an attempt to keep schools from being labeled as failing under the federal No Child Left Behind Act even if their test scores are improving. The law requires all students in grades 3-8 to be proficient in mathematics and English by 2014.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’ Connell hailed the governor’s action.

“California’s high academic standards are recognized nationally for their quality and clarity,” he said in a press release. “It does not serve students’ best interests to ask less of them.”